guard hair
noun
: one of the usually long coarse hairs forming a protective coating over the undercoat of a mammal
Examples of guard hair in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The rest of the body is blanketed in soft, pale hairs called vellus hairs, which wick sweat to keep us cool, and thicker, more visible guard hairs, which protect the skin against damage from rubbing and scratching.
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Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Mice have three hair types: guard hairs as well as awl and zigzag hairs, which are akin to vellus hairs in humans.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Deer put on extra fat in the fall and grow a winter coat with long guard hairs for insulation.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
Some of the judging criteria for the fleece includes fineness and handle, uniformity of micron and color, character, crimp and staple type, density and brightness, absence of guard hair, impurities/stains/fleece damage, lock structure and density luster.
—Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2024
Dogs have two types of hair: guard hairs and undercoat.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 July 2023
It can be worn overnight to guard hair against friction and damage or be used as a cute hair accessory during the day.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 20 Jan. 2023
Llamas have two coats: thick guard hair that’s used for ropes and soft down that’s good for spinning into yarn.
—René A. Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2021
In the hybrids, however, Tibetan antelope guard hairs may also be hard to find.
—National Geographic, 24 Apr. 2019
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Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Mice have three hair types: guard hairs as well as awl and zigzag hairs, which are akin to vellus hairs in humans.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Deer put on extra fat in the fall and grow a winter coat with long guard hairs for insulation.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
Some of the judging criteria for the fleece includes fineness and handle, uniformity of micron and color, character, crimp and staple type, density and brightness, absence of guard hair, impurities/stains/fleece damage, lock structure and density luster.
—Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2024
Dogs have two types of hair: guard hairs and undercoat.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 July 2023
It can be worn overnight to guard hair against friction and damage or be used as a cute hair accessory during the day.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 20 Jan. 2023
Llamas have two coats: thick guard hair that’s used for ropes and soft down that’s good for spinning into yarn.
—René A. Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2021
In the hybrids, however, Tibetan antelope guard hairs may also be hard to find.
—National Geographic, 24 Apr. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Guard hair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guard%20hair. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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